Post #9: Planning and Sweating

Sebastian walked into Tri's office and smiled when she motioned for him to take a seat. He saw the surprise in her face but he crossed his long legs as he studied her. Sebastian saw what Kalder saw in this woman. Her eyes were bright, her long blue hair tied neatly back. She was dressed in a leather cat suit but her Trench coat was hanging over the back of a nearby chair, "you're off duty," he spoke finally.

"Yes," Tri replied. "I wanted to get some extra research done on your engineering officer. I have been looking through these reports from the last cheif and it was as though he let that woman get away with anything...were they seeing each other?"

"Not that I am aware of," Sebastian cleared his throat. "He was something of a ... bum."

Tri laughed at the Captain's choice of words, "that wouldn't be the words I'd use, Captain. To what do I owe this visit?"

"I wanted to see how you were doing, holding up," He lied. The truth was he wanted to look at her again, a once over to see if she was good enough for his brother. From what he saw she was and if he had told Kalder differently the Klingon man would have had a fit but Sebastian wouldn't have cared. He told the truth and those that didn't like it could go suck a lemon.

Tri nodded, "I'm holding up just fine but I think I should finally make my way to the holodeck. I need to let off some steam."

"I will let you get to it then," Sebastian said. Most of the time lately he had been trying to stay busy. To not think of the fact that his XO, who he shouldn't be in love with had invited him to her quarters, alone, for dinner. He smiled at Tri, excused himself and exited her office but stopped to speak with some one else.

Soon he was in his quarters trying not to freak out and to learn to breathe again. He took a longer than usual shower and sat on his bed with his wet hair slicked back and his face still not shaved. He would rather light his pants on fire. He stared at his face in the mirror, "What are you doing Rithu?" he asked himself. "This can only end in tears and demotion."


He stared at his reflection and must how much whiter his hair had gotten. There were more strands of white in his hair now and that made him want to cry. He was getting old. Why would Syra want him? She could do so much better than an ex intelligence officer turned Commanding officer. He had no money - well he had money but he wasn't wealthy. The only thing he had going for him was his house on QonoS, his ship and his starfleet career. What did he have to offer a woman - any woman?

Turning away form the mirror, he slumped against his bed and closed his eyes. There was a slight throbbing behind his eyes now.

Captain Sebastian Kro'ot
&
Lt. Tri Alsa Qira

Post # 8: The Plot Thickens - Part Two

Sebastian closed the link and turned to Syra. His face was back in Captain mode, “something wrong?”

“No,” she answered him, “I wanted you to know, I’ve a order in for food delivery while we were on leave. I just needed a location, and our dinner,” she added with a smile, “why don’t you come by my quarters tonight and I will cook you something real, instead of something from a replicator.”

Sebastian glanced at his communicator in shock. He hated when Kalder did that. He had an unbelievable knack for knowing these things - scary, “erm,” he stuttered. “Why not? I could use a good, cooked meal....” the moment he said that, he mentally kicked himself and winced.

“Around seven, do you think?” Syra replied, she glanced at the time real fast and over-plesantly said, “Now, I’ve a trip to the brig to get over with. See you then, captain.” She shot him a smile at the door before she ducked out again.

Sebastian was left, scratching his hair in shock, nervousness and confusion. Had she just flirted with him? How did Kalder know? At Seven? What would he wear? “This is not a date...just an XO cooking for the captain,’ he told himself but his brain teased him.

Yah and if you believe that I have a bridge to sell you.

Syra made her way down the hall. That had gone well, she thought back on her brief visit just now with Sebastian. It was hard not to refer to him as that sometimes and it was hard not to stare at his beautiful form. He had seemed so relaxed when she had first come in – and she hadn’t realized he had a brother – brothers, he had said. With a sigh she made her way down to the security level and found the office there. She had yet to welcome their newest officer on board – and, she thought, glancing back at the padd she held, they already had mutral ground to stand on in the form of Anya Toombs. Syra stopped outside the door and waited for it to chime.

Tri sat back and rubbed her tired eyes when the door chimed,”come in,” she called staring at the padd she held in one hand and drinking soda in the next. She grunted, the padd was in Klingon. Where was Kalder when she needed him?

Syra stepped inside and smiled, “good evening, Lieutenant,” she greeted as she did. She put her hand forward, “Syra, Executive Officer. Welcome to the Silor.”

“Oh!” Tri stood up to accept the hand, “Thank you. I’m Tri, I’m sure you know that. I tell you the last CSO was a joke! I cannot decipher half the stuff he left. It’s all a hot mess!”

“Yes, it was rather – disgusting, and I apologise that it now falls in your lap,” Syra replied, “if you need help to sort it all out I will see what I can do in that department. Now,” she said, “how are you liking the Silor?”

“Thank you,” Tri flopped into her seat and motioned for the commander to take a seat. “Well, the Engineer is in the brig, so far I’ve had to threaten to shove her out an airlock to get anything out of her, my office looked lke a start went nova in it so I spent half the day cleaning that, now the last chief left me a padd full of backwards klingon...”

Syra started laughing, “so you met Anya,” she couldn’t help herself. She pulled in a breath to get a bit of composure but couldn’t keep the smile from her face, “in fact, you wouldn’t be the first to threaten her with an airlock. The captain had her –moved- to the brig however as a safe alternative – for us all. I will be dealing with her shortly. Our last Security chief wasn’t known for cleanliness so as to the state of your office I am rather not surprised. As for the klingon,” Syra made a face, “I am not fluent – but is there a way the system could sort it out?”

“Didnt think of that,” Tri blushed. She had been too headachy all day. “I am surprised she’s still on board and a Lt.! The things that woman gets away with! But I am not like the last CSO, I will make her seriously rethink giving me any issues.”

Syra made a face, “I think she knows someone important up in the fleet hiarchy somewhere – or else how did she get here in the first place? Really, she is lucky the captain has not gotten a hold of her or she probably …would not be here. There is a reason I deal with her instead of him,” she grinned at the woman across from her, “now it seems I have an ally in that. I was actually on my way down there right now to see if she wants out yet. Did you care to join me?”

“Would i?” Tri beamed. “Lemme get my guns.” she rumanged through her desk and pulled out a silver gun. It was a phaser but built to resemble an old earth .50 calire gun. She beamed, “now I’m ready.”

“Alright,” Syra said, getting up she added, “lets go.” They made their way down through the ship to the brig. Syra couldn’t help but grin with a look that said she was preparing herself for anything, pulling on her Commander’s side and then they stepped through the brig door. Syra walked up to the cell. Anya looked rather bored and with her back to her. Syra grinned, “so, Anya,” she asked, folding her arms, “ready to play nice yet?”

Tri frowned. That had to be the problem. They asked this woman what she wanted. She stood off to the side though and said nothing but watch silently as the Lt. seemed to be ignoring them. Tri spoke, “you were asked a question.”

Anya glared at them, “that depends on your definition of nice, Commander – and Lieutenant.” She lifted her head before looking the other way.

“Wrong answer.” Syra decided. She motioned for the guard to take the transparency down and went inside, “if you want out you are going to start acting like a Starfleet Officer, Anya, and not like some spoiled brat from Upper Crytox. You may not be assaulting the crewmen on this vessel. That,” Syra told her, looking the woman in the eye. It took her all she hand inside her not to reach out and strangle her herself, what sort of hypocrisy would that be, “and until that much is clear, this,” she smiled sweetly, “is your new home.”

Tri had to admit, she was impressed. She was thinking of leaving the woman in there, better yet toss her butt in the empty vacuum of space on their way to where ever they went after leaving Atira. That would put a smile on her face. “You’re getting off lucky,” she told Anya. “If it was up to me you’d be busted down to ensign a long time ago..no wait, you’d be pushing papers in Boise.”

Anya looked at them and folded her arms, “yah, well, Commander, Lieutenant – I know people, and when I get out of here,” she sneered at them, “you can be sure they will be hearing about this.”

Syra just raised an eyebrow at her and glanced over at Tri, “oh, do you want to get this one – or shall I?” She asked her.

“Oh,” Tri smirked and stepped through the opening. “This is me caring - I’m counting on it because after that, you’ll be still serving on board this vessel and everything, you’ve ever done, I can find, then you’d really be in hell.”

Anya looked at her and shouted, "are you threatening me?" She walked right up into Tri's face and stared her down, "How dare you think that you can.. if Rathan was still in Security -oh he would have your head!"

Tri smirked, braced her hand against the woman’s chest and shoved. She watched as Anya tumbled backwards against the bed. Her voice lowered to a cold sound, “if Rathan, that miserable excuse of an officer? Well here’s the reality, Lt, Rathan is no longer here. Now you have to deal with me and I have a way shorter fuse than anyone else you’ll ever meet in your pathetic existence. Don’t test me.”

Anya was in shock as she struggled to push herself up. She appealed to Syra angerily, "Are you just going to let her get away with that?" She demanded.

Syra just grinned and leaned in a bit, "there is this thing called personal space, Anya, I would look into it and -" she said with a glance Tri's way, "I didn't see a thing."

“You won’t let me hit!” Anya shouted at the commander. She got up and looked around as if she was reaching for something to break, but when she couldn’t find anything she walked right up to Syra, “and you let her! You let her push me! You Bitch! I will tell the fleet Headquarters about this, and you.. you..”

Syra was just staring, Anya in moments like this, was quite an amazing sight. How can someone be so childish and utterly stupid at an adult age to resort to saying things like – I’m gonna tell? She shook her head and sighed, “well,” she said, “I see you are not ready to play nice yet – and you should, because you are staying here until you do, and you have papers to sign, your second write up this week, I think?”

Tri stepped through the entrance again and stood facing the now red faced, pouting woman. Tri folded her arms over her chest. This was proving to be more amusing than she thought. Perhaps working on the Silor wont be as boring as she thought, “could we hurry this up?” Tri frowned. “I have a date to get to.”

“Yeah,” Syra decided, “me too – I mean – a shore leave to plan, that’s it. Its too bad Anya, looks like you are here for another night and we can try it again. You will not assault your crewmen, understood? And you will respect our new Security Officer, do you hear me?” She asked her. And when Anya only glared at her and shook her head Syra sighed and let the door slide back into place. It was a good thing she spent time in engineering – it wasn’t every day that your chief engineer got thrown in the brig.

Lt. Tri Alsa Qira, Commander Syra Bridger & Lt. Anya Toombs

Post #7: The Plot Thickens - Part One

Kaldar somehow managed his way downstairs, through breakfast and out the door. He didn’t have any work, but didn’t want to stay inside. His brothers had all taken off into the stars and he didn’t want to be the only one around for his grandmother to test her temper on – though she had been out practicing mok’Bara when he left. He knew he would be drilled when he got home, that woman loved drama that had to do with anything. He stomped up the street, growling at a group of off-worlders who had tried to touch him, his arm, his shoulder, his knife, whatever it was they wanted, he supposed, so when they got to wherever they lived they could say they did. Kaldar particularly liked the way the color had drained from their face before they ran away. He grinned devilishly. He was only a few steps from his friends house and with the same grin on his face he turned and stomped up the stairs and pounded on the door, “open up!” He yelled, he was playing, “surrender or die! Open this door.”

Sebastian stared at the communication console before him. He could call Koya but that woman was nothing but trouble. He did not want to bring Syra anywhere near her. Kalder was the only other logical choice. Sebastian knew he could trust the brothers with his life. Inhaling he added their destination and waited for an answer. He only hoped Kalder could help.

The beeping at his waistline made Kalder stop pounding on the door. Causally he stopped and reached for the device as his belt, “nuq?” He asked. The numbers were from his brother, in fact, one of the brother’s he had been coming to see, “Rithu? You know,” he said, “if you are inside hiding from me …all hell will break loose when I get in?” Kalder grinned the last part and sat on the steps.

Sebastian smirked, "oh stop being such a drama king," he accused. "I'm not inside. You looking for trouble again Kalder?"

“Oh, I don’t have to look for it,” Kalder answered. He got up then and shoved his fist through the lock on the door before opening it, “and I just broke into the house,” he stepped inside and asked, “where you keep the good stuff at in here – and what you call me for?”

Sebastian shook his head. That was Kalder alright, "kitchen, lower cupboards. Listen I'm thinking of bringing the Silor to QonoS. The crew like it there and I need sleep."

Kalder made his way into the kitchen and started digging through the cupboards Rithu suggested to him, he hit is head and cursed under his breath before grabbing a bottle out and standing with it to read the label, “and lemme guess, you want the beach?” He asked, taking the top off Kalder took a long drink before asking, “can I bring a girl?”

"A girl?" Sebastian chuckled, "what girl dumb enough to want to be seen in public with you?"

“She’s a Starfleet Lieutenant, thank you very much,” Kalder answered, “and who said anything about being seen in public. She comes with me, you get the drinks,” he smirked, finishing the bottle and tossing it into a nearby trash can, “or I won’t talk to Cilor about the beach. Deal?” He didn’t add that he didn’t even know if she would ever come and visit him yet or Rithu would die laughing. Kalder remained hopeful.

"Starfleet eh?" Sebastian still didn’t believe Kalder. Kalder wasn't the have a girlfriend type. "What's her name?"

“Tri,” he answered, “the rest is hard to pronounce, look, you will know when you meet her,” he was going through the top cupboards now, looking for stuff to eat. Giving up he went to the front of the house and sank into the sofa. Kalder turned on the console to watch the news. He turned it off as quickly because there was nothing good on, “what days do you want?”

"A couple of...Tri? As in Lt. Alsa Qira?" Sebastian's mirth disappeared. Maybe Kalder was speaking true - though he never lied before.

“Ahh,” Kalder asked off the top his head, he made a face but he couldn’t focus on the name, his mind filled with the beautiful woman instead, “ahh, it sounds right, why? You know her?”

Sebastian laughed, "I was going to say I feel sorry for the woman you get your hooks into but with this fireball, I feel sorry for you!" He laughed harder.

Kalder grunted, “you know her.” He stated. He sat back then with a grin on his face, “I can handle it, I am sure. Tell me, what do you think? We met on a space station – somewhere. I want to bring her along.”

"well," Sebastian lounged, "She's beautiful, a firecracke...strange hair colour, I believe her files says she's a Zulust. I'd love to see you two together...We need about two weeks and if Starfleet doesn't call us in after that we stay three..." he chuckled. "Kalder in love ...wow never thought I'd see the day."

“Hey, I saw her first.” Kalder grinned, “glad you approve. I love her hair, by the way, even if I don’t know a lot about Zulust,” he shrugged, “I will talk to Cilor, see what I can work out. But listen,” he sat forward a bit, “if you know what ship she works on – you keep quiet. I want this to be a surprise for her.”

Sebastian's full lips arched on a smirk, "well I'll be sure to keep it a secret from my Secuity officer. Though if she slams me on my ass am taking it out on you."

“Wait,” Kalder said slowly, “she’s on your ship? The Silor?” That’s right, he vaguely remembered her saying the vessel’s name but he had been to drawn to her beauty to remember until then. Kalder made a face, “how the hell did I manage to get so lucky?” He asked.

"I dont know if I'd call it luck," Sebastian spoke still smiling. Kalder in love - with a woman - hoo boy. This could all end in tears and open wounds. "I won't tell her I know you - you shall surprise her if you wish. But I'd stand back, I think that Kitty can scratch!"

“Yeah,” he laughed, “she said that too and I mighta made a few erm, comments about that myself,” he thought about it then and started laughing more, “oh no – you better not tell her anything! Do you think I could be lucky as this twice in my lifetime?”

"There's only one way to find out, brother. Get me that spot on the beach and we shall see..."

“Alright, done, I can get it.” Kalder agreed. He glanced toward the kitchen, “but you might need more bloodwine, I might have finished what you had here.”

"You could not have..." Sebastian stopped. It was Kalder! The man drank way too much. "HOpefully Lt. Alsa Qira will cure you of that horrid habbit... Speaking of women..I think i am in way over my head here."

“Hey,” Kalder defended, “it might not have just been me you know – you have more than one brother…” he paused and grinned a moment, “women huh? Over your head and complaining about them – you sick or something?”

"Nah, not sick - I think I'm in love with my first officer....the biggest Starfleet no-no of all time."

“Gah…” Kalder choked over what he was going to say, “your first officer? You?” He wrinkled his brow and laid his head back on the back of the sofa, “Rithu, is she pretty at least? Is she worth it, I mean, if you – you know?” He paused and at last gathered his thoughts together, “brother, all I am saying is – that’s a pretty big rule.

"I know," Sebastian moaned rubbing his eyes, "I know. That is why she can never find out. I had to tell someone...and you should see this woman Kal..Dark skin,big brough eyes, tall, legs up to the north pole...and she feeds me!"

Kalder’s head was still spinning a bit, “this is your executive, right?” he reflected, for some reason the image he had of an executive officer was more stuffy than what his brother was telling him and the image just didn’t fit. His thoughts shifted, “and she feeds you, too?”

"Yes and yes," Sebastian pushed some air out his mouth, "I just can't touch her. If I do, my career is pretty much over. I'd come home, drink, get a warnog gut like you..." He sighed.

“Huh!” Kaldar demanded, he looked down at his stomach instinctively before grunting, “I don’t have a gut! You’re just mad cause I can still beat you and all your pretty Starfleet defense training into the ground every time you are here.”

"HA! Dream on lover boy!" Sebastian boasted. "My starfleet training could whoop you! I let you win, so there," he smirked. "And you do have a bit of a gut. Ask Tri."

“I do not,” he protested, “and you, my brother, have just challenged fifteen years of defense force work,” he let his tone sound mad but he knew Rithu could hear him smiling, “so, I shall have to fight you when you arrive – and we will see. Oh, and we will just have to pick up our shirts then and have Tri and your pretty Executive officer tell us who looks better.”

Sebastian grunted, "you wouldn't!" he exhaled. "She can never find out, Kal. I mean it. I intend of staying in starfleet awhile with her by my side. If she knows they will take her, understood?"

Kalder just grunted and decided to make a point, “how do you feel when you touch her?” He asked simply, “or, when she touches you?” He sat back, “and you can’t tell me you don’t brother – she is making you dinner.” He stressed the last word.

"She replicated dinner," Sebastian corrected. "But I can't describe it. All I know is when she touches me I can see nothing else but me, her and a bed...or a table top, or the floor....see what I mean? It's like this, all the time."

“Its only a matter of time til she actually makes your food,” Kalder replied. He sighed and pushed a hand back through his hair, “like that all the time? Does she know? Does she feel the same way? You know, you know its only a matter of time until you…”

"No she doesnt know and she will never find out," Sebastian was adamant. "I love my job. And what were you saying about only a matter of time?"

“Nothing,” Kalder grumbled. The federation had the worst rules at times. He saw the sense of this particular one, but it didn’t seem fair. He sighed and sat back, “well, I won’t say a word, then, don’t worry. So breathe. I know what your work means to you. And, I will get the place on the beach.”

"Thank you," Sebastian breathed. He had to get his feelings out in the open to anyone but syra. She must never know them - ever. "Anything you wanted me to bring?"

“My woman,” Kalder smiled. He rolled his eyes at himself – she wasn’t his yet, he knew. But it sounded good anyway, “and the fun. Its so – dull – around here with everyone gone. You know the force only sends me out a month at a time, right? The others get years. Guess that’s what I get for being in services so close to Qo’noS.”

Sebastian chuckled, "you can still join starfleet," he tilted back from the communicator expecting a bunch of klingon profanities. He laughed.

“Are you kidding me?” Kalder demanded, he did follow with a line of curses before flopping back and laughing, “no no, never – with all their rules? Do you really want me pissed off all the time? I would behead the first admiral that came my way.” He grinned the same. They were brothers yes, but brothers could see things differently and be better as a whole for it, “you just get back here. You need a break from them – a dip in your culture, do you think?”

"That I agree with," Sebastian glanced up when his door chimed “enter!" he called. Syra stepped in and he felt his breath catch. "Kal I have to go, my XO is here. Let me know, alright?"

“Alright,” Kalder answered slowly, he got up, too, the rest of the First City was waiting to see what damage he could do – but first he better get to Cilor’s House first. He dropped his tone just a bit, having heard the change to almost excitement in Rithu’s voice. It was not fair. Kalder shook his head and sighed, “you just – be careful.”

"Thanks brother," Sebastian grinned.

"Brother? You have a brother?" Syra questioned.

“A few of them actually,” he explained. “contact me, Kal, once you find out and we will let you know when we arrive.”

“Yah,” Kalder said, it was so unfair to Rithu. He heard her voice in the background and he pulled in a breath. “I am on it, don’t worry. See you then.” After he hung up the line Kaldar hit is fist once into the back of the couch out of frustration – it toppled over. Biting his lip, he picked it up quickly. A grin crossed his face at the same time – Rithu was bringing Tri with him.

And so, the day had begun.

Captain Sebastian Kro'ot AKA Rithu
Commanding officer - USS Silor

&

Kalder

Post #6: The Late-Night-Early-Morning-Call

Tri finished her day and walked like a zombie into her quarters. She slumped face first onto her bed and sighed. She was glad she had her own quarters and didn't have to share becuase after having a day like she had, she wouldn't want to speak to anyone. "Computer, play Careless Whisper," she ordered.

"Please state artist," the computer came back.

Tri frowned, gave some well placed profanities before calling, -George M ichaels.- the sound began softly leaking through the room and she rolled onto her back to stare at the ceiling. Her hand hit something and she moved her head to see that it was Kalders numbers. She took a deep breath and before she could stop herself, she was sitting before her communication console and waiting for him to answer.

The klaxon wouldn’t stop pounding in his head. Kalder found himself punching and punching the mute button in the bulkhead again and again. It would not shut off, he got more forceful – --and sent his com device flying across the room as he sat up in bed. Kaler blinked and rolled over but it hadn’t stopped ringing. Half asleep he grunted, got up and crawled back under his blanket before he answered it, “nuq?”

"Erm, did I call at a bad time?" Tri asked wondering why she had thought he would even remember her. She took a deep breath and disconnected the link before flopping down against her bed.

Kalder blinked and rubbed his forehead. He had a pounding headache – probably from the amounts of bloodwine he drank after dinner. Rolling over he tried to register if he had actually just received a call. He squinted and stared at the numbers. He knew he had a few deals out with his brothers and, his heart thumped once in his chest, Tri still had his contact numbers – or he hoped she did. Kalder hit the signal, flopping back on his bed he waited to see who would answer the other end.

Tri hadn't expected him to call back. So she simply reached for the activation key while slipping from her jacket. She had her shirt halfway over her head before the starfleet insignia dissappeared, "Lt. Alsa Qira," she answered it.

It was her – that was so much better than a call from his brothers and the thumping in his heart turned to a silent thunder, “Lt. Alsa Qira,” he repeated. There was a smile in his voice he couldn’t hide, “Kaldar, sorry about that, greeting, when you called.”

"Oh Crud!" she swore and yanked her shirt back in place. Her cheeks were heating while she prayed he hadn't seen that, "I didn't know what else to do," she drew closer to the screen. The computer was replaying the song again and she quickly ordered it off. The last thing she wanted was the Klingon to hear her listening to a love song. "How are you?"

Kalder was just grinning ear to ear, “its alright,” he told her, “I had my eyes closed, mostly. And that is a beautiful song,” he commented. Getting off the bed he went over to his own system and turned it on. Kalder grinned at her, “I’ve been alright, got in a nasty attack with my SoS’nI and a bowl of Qagh, other than that – fine.” He cleared his throat, “did you make your ship, on time? Or did a klingon sweep you off his feet and carry you off to Qo’noS?”

She laughed, "well I made my ship on time. My captain is part Klingon, lovely man, I believe his name is Sebastian Kro'ot if I'm not mistaken," she blushed heavily. "Well I Klingon kinda did sweep me off my feet, only he disappeared."

Kalder blushed, “yes?” he asked her. He folded his arms and studied the woman on the screen. He smiled softly at her, “he was kinda wondering why you hadn’t called. He couldn’t stop thinking of you – trust me, I know him quite well, and,” he said, realizing he was still half dressed from sleeping, “he is going to find a shirt to wear, be right back.” Kalder started off but came back to say to her, “don’t go anywhere, alright?”

She shook her head showing she wasn't moving but kept her eyes lowered. She was so happy that he had called back that she hadn't noticed his state of dress until he mentioned it. When he left she licked her lips and fought off a moan that threatened to escape her throat. He was large, hard - sexy. She sighed. He was thinking of her? She smiled happily then cleared her throat to stop her self - it was only a flirtation - right?

“So,” he talked to her off screen as he pulled on a mail tunic and then a leather one. Kaldar found where he had tossed his heavy klingon collar the night before and picked it up with him as he came back to the screen and sat at the edge of the bed, “klingon captain, then? Kro’ot?” He shook his head, “sounds familiar but I am not sure. Do you like your ship? What are your crewmates like?”

She felt disappointed that he was dressed and sighed, "well I like the captain, the XO and the others but there is one in the brig--she is a special one. But I would rather not talk about her now..."

“No?” he asked her. Kaldar let the collar drop heavily to the floor of his room. He grinned at her instead and let his eyes wander over her, “what do you want to talk about? When you are coming to Qo’noS? I don’t forget things easily you know.”

"I can see that," she grinned propping her head up by resting her chin into one hand. "I do not know that," she told him truthfully. "But if I was to go to you homeplanet, you would be the first Klingon to know. I dont know about my men others though - they would have to be told right after you," she giggled.

“Ah,” he grinned at her and leaned back against his headboard, “your other men yes? Well, they are all gonna have to move aside now. Cause I’m bigger,” he teased, “and better and stronger, and more handsome yes – and maybe not so tough as all that?” Watching her then suddenly made him want her with him, now – in his room. The song had ended and it was set to turn off when it did. Silence fell over them, “but don’t tell anyone.” He finished.

Tri giggled and leant in, "well, Kalder, you may have to fight for me," she teased wiggling her brows at him. "Are you fully prepared for that?" her voice took on a smooth, sensual tone, "are you?"

“Fight for you,” he asked. He changed his tone to the same sensual one he used and locked his hands behind his head, “or fight with you, I could enjoy both aspects of that?” He sat forward on the bed and asked her, “are you prepared for that?”

"Just as long as you know I would win," she told him lifting her chin proudly. She then flexed her muscles at him, "see? This kitty can scratch."

“Careful,” Kalder warned, his voice hadn’t changed as his eyes trailed over her body, “I could let you scratch,” he flexed his hands as he studied her, “or – this klingon can trap both your wrists in just one hand kiss you until you are senseless.” He looked at her and asked, “what are you thinking, Tri, are you prepared for – that?”

Tri bit against her lower lip. She was too far gone to hide it anymore. A low sound left her chest, a rumbled growl and she blushed before averting her eyes, "Kalder you are all talk," she finally managed.

He raised an eyebrow at her and got up off the bed, “come see me,” he told her. Kalder found the song again and turned back to her, “and we shall see.”

"That's tempting, Kalder," she whispered leaning in closer now not because she had a choice but because her heated body told her to. "But I don't know it I can..."

“When you can?” he asked her. Kalder watched her. He moved closer to the screen as well. Now there was no more hiding and he said what he wanted most, “at least,” he said to her, “let me call you again. Terribly enough, I’ve to go right now but I am not halway through telling you all the things I want to do with you.”

Tri smiled, "you can call whenever you want. I promise to answer," she smiled and waved at him.

Lt. Tri Asla Qira

&

Kalder

Post #5: Another Name to the List

Anya heard the Commander at the door but she wouldn’t answer. She couldn’t get in trouble if they didn’t know where she was. Her mouth, her temper, her attitude, it was all they were warning her about. But every time something got out of hand so did she. She had seen the commander with the Captain – she saw the way Sebastian smiled at the woman – the way the captain smirked at her told one thing – he was in love. Anya waited until the knocking stopped at her door before she picked up a picture frame and hurled it across the room. How dare him fall in love with a woman he had no business falling for?

She grunted. After seeing the Captain walking with Syra, Anya had reported for duty in Engineering. She was running the joint and still everyone ignored her when she walked in. Taking out the assistant was not the plan but the man had it coming. She shoved her fingers through her hair and took a deep breath. She was reaching for her glass when she was surrounded by a flurry of white light. The next thing she knew she was in sitting in the brig.

“Son of a bitch!” she yelled.
“Excuse me, Lt?” the brig officer wanted to know.
“Let me out!” she shouted.
“Can’t do that ma’am,” the officer shook his head. “The captain sent you here for a reason and until he tells me otherwise, you’re staying.”
“You little weasel!” Anya shouted. “I’ll ruin you for this!”

The offer simply shrugged and walked away from her. The door swished shut behind him and she slumped against the seat. She should have taken her comm. Badge off.

Tri took the first few hours she was there and read over the report left by the captain. The old security officer was a traitor and was killed in battle. It just seems her luck wasn’t getting any better especially after she saw that the chief engineer was in the brig. Rubbing her eyes she grabbed her phaser, a padd and a candy and slipped from her office.

In the brig she told the officer who she was and he instantly stood up, stiff as a board, “at ease Ensign before you pop something,” she joked. “No need to do that. Tell me, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know, Lt,” the large man spoke. “But knowing her, it has something to do with beating someone up, talking back, or trying to kill someone.”

Tri rolled her eyes, shook her head and stepped into the holding area, “so you must be Lt. Toombs,” she spoke with a frown. “What did you do this time?”

“I don’t have to tell you nothing,” Anya rolled her eyes insolently.
“I see,” Tri frowned. “Look, I am new here but I am the new chief of security. Where the last security chief took crap from you I absolutely will not. If you are here to cause any danger, or issues for the captain and this crew, I will personally shove you out an airlock – they say you only get one chance at a first impression but lucky for you, I’m in a good mood. Let’s try this again. Why are you here?”

Anya glared at the woman. She had dark skin, blue hair with a red ribbon wrapped around a strand of the blue hair. She was slightly tall, and beautiful. Great, another one for Sebastian to fall for. She sat up in the bed and explained why she was there, “happy now?”

“Well seems to me you’re the commanders problem,” Tri tsked while glancing at her padd.

“Tell me you’re not leaving me in here!” Anya shouted and rushed for Tri. She forgot about the force field and was sent flying back into the wall over the bed. Pain shot through her body but she wasn’t seriously hurt.

“Until the captain or commander tells me differently in our meeting, Lt,” Tri spoke with a sweet, fake smile on her lips. “You will remain right where you are because it seems to me that you have a temper problem. The crew is safer this way.”

Whistling to herself, she exited the holding area, “Ensign, she is to have no visitors except the captain and the First officer.”

“Yes Ma’am,” the ensign grinned boyishly.

Tri continued her song and exited the brig. She would meet with the commander to get a better feel for this Anya woman.

Meanwhile, in the brig, Lt. Anya Toombs added another name to her shit list.

Lt. Anya Toombs
Chief Engineering officer
USS Silro

&

Lt. Tri Alsa Qira
Chief Security officer
USS Silor

Post # 4: Homecoming Havoc

Kaldar stepped off the platform onto the Qo'noS First City ground. The landing dock was busy, like it always was. Tall buildings and offices reached up around him and overhead a formation of six fighter craft shot by. He walked forward, exiting the gates and starting his way through the city streets. The press of people, off-worlders and klingons alike was an acutal welcome feel. It had been many months since he had been home. Even with the hot sun beating down and the sky that could threaten to pour rain at any moment - it was good.

Kaldar turned up the next street and took a left at the first corner and paused to let traffic pass before crossing a street to a high-rise house pressed between walls of the others. Up the steps and to the door. Kaldar snuck inside, quiet on his feet so he didn't make a sound. He did grin as he slipped through the house. Faint cords of a recording of the kingon opera vibrated down the halls from somewhere. In the kitchen, the woman with the black and gray hair had her back to him. Kaldar moved quickly and slid up behind her back, covering her eyes with his hands he shouted, "morning SoS'nI'"

Kea'teln had drawn a blade and spun about when she felt the attack, still active and phsyically fit - sixty seven years old was not quite half a life for a klingon woman. She drew blood, drawing across her assailant's skin. Then when she saw Kaldar's eyes she grinned and put the knife away, "Grandson!" Kea'teln greeted, embracing him, "you shouldn't sneak up on an old woman like that."

"Ah, come off it," he replied with a grin, Kaldar nursed his wound proudly, this woman whom had helped raise him was still mean as hell, "you know better than that." He went to the sink to rinse the cut out, "how have you been, SoS'nI?"

"Good as can be," she replied, she went back to stirring whatever it was she was making, "your vav'nI reported back into the force the other day, as did your brother," she put her hands on her hips, spoon and all and declared, "You, Kal, are late."

"Ah, thats easy to explain," Kaldar replied, he turned to her, grabbing a handful of the Qagh that wriggled in a large bowl nearby he started munching on the delicacy as though it were popcorn, "see, I met this girl."

"A girl, eh?" Kea'teln asked, she put her hands on her hips and studied him.

"Yeah, smart, funny, pretty..."

"Yeah, yeah?" Kea'teln grinned, "so why don't you bring her home?"

His face collapsed, "I don't know where she went. I met her over lunch at a space station while on my way here. I gave her my number but she hasn't called. I looked for her on the base too, before I left - but she is a Lieutenant in Starfleet - not exactly someone you want to go asking around about." He finished the handful of Qagh and reached for another.

"And why the hell not, we are allies with them now," she slapped the wormy creatures loose of his fingers and they crawled away under the stove. With a grunt he crouched to look for them as the woman looked on, "you will ruin your dinner."

"Well," he said standing. Kaldar motioned toward the stove, "now it got away."

"Fast food, yeah." Kea'teln answered. She grinned at him and smoothed his hair back, "so, you met a girl, and lost her. Contact the fleet if..."

"SoS'nI," Kaldar uttered, "really. I don't think...she wants anything to do with me." He rubbed the back of his neck. Truthfully, he hadn't stopped thinking of her. Her beautiful skin and shining hair haunted his dreams every time he had tried to sleep.

"How you know that?"

"Cause," he answered. He didn't want to say that he had given her his number and she hadn't called him back. Instead, Kaldar kissed his grandmother's ridges and laughed, "she knows where I live. She promised she would come visit and we would go swimming..."

"Swimming?" Kea'teln grinned at him, "down at Cirnar's beach?"

"It is private," he answered. When he looked she was smiling at him, "what?"

"I think you like this woman," Kea'teln folded her arms and watched him with a knowing smile.

He returned it, "maybe," Kaldar admitted, "now," he told her, "you go back to your stirring and I have to see if I can find our food."

Post #3: The Silor - Reporting In

Location: Starbase Aira - USS Silor


For days after meeting Kalder in the Mic Mac, she returned to see if she could find him. But each time she entered she realised how happy and calm the servers were and knew that a stony looking Klingon had not visited. Each time she felt crestfallen but she simply ordered lunch, pushed the food around on her plate, drank her juice, paid for the uneaten meal and left. Tri had even typed in his contact information many time in the communication console of her quarters but when it began connecting she had shut it down. When she finally got the information that the Silor had finally docked, she all but grabbed her stuff and tore off the base as though her Starfleet issues were on fire.


She only stopped when she was at the doors to the Silor being asked for clearance. "Here you go Ensign," she gave the woman a smile.


"Welcome to the Obsidian, Lt," the younger woman spoke.

"Thank you," Tri told her and stepped on board her new ship.


She walked onboard and grinned. She knew this class like the back of her hand. After she made sure her things were safely stashed in her quarters, she walked towards the captain's ready room. The ship's halls were strangely deserted but she took nothing off it. When she stepped into the sensor range of the Captain's Ready room the door slid opened effortlessly and she stepped in.


"Lt. Tri Alsa Qira reporting for duty sir," she announced.

"Welcome, Lt. A woman that's punctual," Sebastian smiled. "I like that. Please, have a seat."

Tri smiled at the captain and took the seat he offered. She never expected a Klingon captain but then again she wouldn't know what to expect for they didn’t give her much information on where she was going. This man's wrinkles weren't as deep as Kalder which meant he was mixed with something else.

"Can you tell me your name captain?" Tri wanted to know. "They did not tell me much about the vessel. Well at first they told me I was supposed to be on Starbase Atira. When I arrived here they seemed to have changed their minds and sent me here."

The man laughed. It was a hard, beautiful, masculine sound, "I am terribly sorry for the confusion. Our last officer had to be arrested. It is a long and tiring story. But I am Captain Sebastian Kro'ot."

"It is a pleasure to meet you sir," She accepted his handshake then pushed back into her seat. "If you don't mind me asking, what was the last security officer arrested for?"

"How much time do you have?" Sebastian wrinkled his brows as he peered at her.
"I see, I supposed there is a report as long as my arms put together waiting me in my office?"

He nodded, "the first officer and I have compiled one for you."
"Well sir, if there is nothing else," Tri stood up and straightened her uniform. "I should like to get settled in my quarters and get started on the report."

"No Lt, there is nothing else. If you have any questions..."

"I shall ask them," she bowed her head with a smile.

She walked form the office thinking, "he's no Kalder but a wonderful essence none the less."

Lt. Tri Alsa Qira
Cheif Security
USS Silor

Post 2: Dinner for Two

Location: Officer’s Lounge, Starship Silor

Syra walked down the corridor. The ship was en route to Starbase Atira, full speed, without incident that would involve the fleet thus far. Personal incident, on the other hand, was the days special. Even off duty, there was work to be done.

Anya would be off duty by now too. Stopping in the hall Syra didn’t wait for the chime. She knocked on Anya’s door, had to refrain from beating it down, she would not loose her temper especially in front of Anya – that other woman would love too much to see her loose control. The chime rang at last, Syra called to the woman whom was supposedly on the other side, “ Anya? Hey, we need to talk?”

No answer.

Syra tried again. Her hand was hurting where she hit it against the panel, “ow.” Syra winced putting her back to the door in frustration she asked the ship’s system for the location of the Lieutenant – to find out she was right. Anya was hiding in her quarters. Syra pulled in a breath, “fine.” She said out loud. She shrugged and turned away. Syra took notice of what time it was before heading to the lounge for a cool glass of something to drink. She would need it. She heard the woman they were picking up at Atira was also a firecracker, but hopefully in a good way. Hopefully not –quite- like Anya. Syra could really use an ally for personal messes aboard this ship.

The doors of the lounge slid open and she stepped inside and ordered a glass of iced lemonade. Syra walked over to the windows and sank into the benches there. She found the stars relaxed her as she stared out at them passing by.

Sebastian finished what he was reading and stood up. His brain was pounding again and for the millionth time, he wondered if it was his mixed DNA. With a frown he glanced at the time before shoving away from the desk. He really wished they could go faster towards Atira. He wanted to get off the ship, stretch his legs and maybe take the ship to QonoS for some much needed R&R. He stomach growled as though asking his throat if it was cut - he was starving. He walked from his ready room and made his way towards the lounge. He hoped Syra had a chance to handle Anya or he would have to. He never liked steping on his XO's toes because Syra has proven to be more than capable but Anya Toombs either needed a good kick or a demotion. One or the other it was going to be if he had to deal with her. He was quickly losing his temper when it comes to that woman and he was this close to telling her to take her shit and get out. Breathing he stepped through the door and smiled. Syra was having a drink. He walked up behind her with a smile spoke, "mind if I joined you Syra?"

Syra jumped, startled a bit. She laughed as she turned just slightly about, then all the way, “Hi,” she told Sebastian, “not at all.” She moved over on the bench just a bit and motioned to her glass, “can I get you something, I’m in here hitting the hard stuff tonight.”
"The Klingon in me wants to," Sebastian smiled slipping into the seat across from her, "but the human in me won't have it. I have a throbbing headache and I am starving. I think I was staring at my PADD too long."
Syra just smiled, “its lemonade, silly.” She told him. She got up instead and tried to find him something to eat. She knew him well enough by now to know what he liked and didn’t. As she flipped through the menu Syra asked, “maybe we should go by the homeworld, get your fix of that culture? What do you think – we are due to take a shore leave quite soon?”

"Get out of my head," he laughed. "You know you didn't have to do that right?"

“Yeah, and if I didn’t,” she added, plunking the plate down in front of him, “our dear captain might not have had dinner tonight, and if he can’t eat he can’t think and if he can’t think,” she flopped down next to him and went back to her drink, “we are all screwed or I have to take over.” She grinned at him, for some reason she was in a good mood right now. Syra laughed and patted his thigh, “and we can’t have that happen?” She held up a fork – some klingons, well, most klingons never ate with utensils, “want this?” She asked.

"Nah," he said with a chuckle. She was right. Most of the time if she didn't feed him he probably would have starved. "I don't know what I would do with out you," he chewed. "But you're right - this crew deserve some time off and they loved going to a planet with pieces of a moon." He grinned boyishly at her.

“I figured,” Syra laughed. She threw the fork behind her back intent on picking it up later. “There is something about that moon, the way the pieces trail across the night sky, all glowy and lovely.” She swallowed the last of her drink and grinned back at him, “the crew does love it. I think they like the nightlife. I know I do.”

Sebastian nodded while eyeing his plate. She was so beautiful - dark skin, long hair, big brown eyes. He inhaled deeply trying to reign in his pounding heart, "the night life- I think I just want to sleep without hearing the red alert klaxon - a full night of sleep. Then waking up the next morning, sit on the beach and stare at the water with a cup of the strongest coffee I can find..." He pushed some food into his mouth with his hand and chewed.

She smiled at him. She wanted to reach over and take his hand. The attraction was there again, she had felt it for quite some time now, it would come on now and again and thicken the air in the room so that she could hardly breathe. In fact, Syra looked forward to these few platonic moments they had together – where she could feed him and help him wind down. It was as close to anything she might ever know since she was in his direct line of command. She shrugged, “I know this great café that serves raktajinko, its built on a pier over the ocean – two for one, on your wish list? Three, sleeping without a red alert, we can probably find elsewhere too?”

He chuckled, "that would be perfect," he sighed. "I love being a commanding officer, really I do, but sometimes you are at the point to snapping."

“Yeah,” she laughed with him, “and that’s what you got me for, speaking of, I must bring up a rather distasteful subject – then we will get back to the goods of plotting a shore leave, yes?”

He moved deeper into the booth, turned his back against the wall so he could face her, "very well."

“Anya,” Syra said. She shook her head a bit in frustration, “she’s hiding in her quarters, computer has confirmed it – won’t come out. She knows she was wrong this time.”
Sebastian closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. It was starting to throb again. It had somewhat stopped when Syra had smiled at him. When she reached over and tapped his thigh he was too busy stopping his pounding heart and remembering to breath than worrying about a migrane. He tapped his comm badge "Kr'ot to transporter room one," he spoke.
"Go ahead captain," the voice returned to him.
“Lock onto Lt. Toombs and beam her to the bridge,” he ordered.

“Aye, captain.”

Sebastian turned to Syra, “I am not having this any longer,” he growled like a bear that was poked one too many times.

Syra sighed reached out and touched his arms, “Sebastian,” She told him, looking deep into his face, “I could handle this. I wasn’t telling you that you had to step in, I am just wondering if she is more trouble than it is worth.” Her frustration was evident, too. For some reason, the other woman didn’t think that she had any authority over her, whatsoever, and for some reason that bothered her – because it led to things getting left undone.

He smiled wryly at her, "well, now you can have that conversation with her," he spoke. "I wasn't going to step in, was only making it easier for you. I am this close to shoving her out the nearest airlock so it is better you handle it."
Syra grinned, “oh, can I help?” She asked, “you know, when I was an ensign I spent some time in engineering, there are ways we can make this happen extremely slowly and painfully?”

He laughed, "I knew there was a reason I liked having you around," he told her with a chuckle, "you're seriously twisted, I love it. But seriously - I've been thinking of demoting her - give her a slice of humble pie, as the humans put it."
“I’m not twisted,” she faked offense to that but the smile hadn’t left her face, “I’m not. But, seriously,” she pulled in a breath and shook her head, “she is running out of last straws. She is up there by now, we could just make her wait a while for once – while you finish your dinner?”

Sebastian growled in his throat and rubbed a hand over his ridged forehead. He wanted to tell her that Anya can wait until he was finished enjoying the beauty that was his XO but he said nothing he nodded his head, "she can wait," he stopped. He could only imagine the yelling happening in the brig right now. He didn't care - the woman was on his last damn nerves. She raked through the Klingon nerves a long time ago and was on her way out on the human one. That was why he was letting Syra deal with it. If he has to step in, bad things would happen.

“Good,” Syra grinned, “cause she seriously needs to cool it and I think the brig is a good spot for that - or I will let you have at it. I don’t think she realizes how lucky she is, at the moment. Anyway,” she told him, “back to Qo’noS – spot on the beach yes? Though come to think of it, it is the klingon homeworld and probably you won’t get away from red alerts?”

He watched her intently, still facing her with his back against the bulkhead - "probably," he told her. "But I would rather lay on the beach for a while, visit some friends - what would you do on QonoS? You could stay with me and some friends. I'm sure they wouldn't mind." He had come so close to asking her to stay with him. But he couldn't. She was his XO. He had to keep his hands off her... he moved his body so that he faced the table again and picked up his drink - he was suddenly over-heating.
“What would I do? I am not sure actually, they have those Opera’s there, but they are entirely too noisy for me.” Her heart was racing. She was trying to avoid what if this was any other person – what he had said could have meant, “sure,” she told him, “I’d love to. Probably I can get Rico to set us up a place on the beach, senior staff you know, your friends along. Hey, I hear we are getting a new girl …we should invite her there too you know – make her feel welcome?”

He turned his head and stared at her with a small smile gracing his face, "I like the the way you think." Sebastian nodded his head, "I will announce it to the crew as soon as we get close enough to Atira. But we're getting a new security officer. I hope she's a better person that the last mess we had," he sighed. "You know, I think the Silor is cursed?"

“Oh I couldn’t tell,” she rolled her eyes, “but I love it the same – and its partly your idea, silly, you were the one suggesting a group of us stay together?” She was rambling now. She knew. Syra sighed and set her head against the bulkhead. It was time to bring dinner to a close and she hated that, “there isn’t many stars on Qo’noS, having a full sky of them is rare. But maybe we can get lucky and arrive in the perfect night.”

"Maybe," Sebastian was inside his head again. He could feel their dinner ending and he felt as though his heart was breaking. "I shall see to getting a place on the beach," he told her. "You do not have to worry about that angle."

“Coffee,” She told him suddenly, she had to keep her eyes closed to not feel the intensity in the air. Syra moved from her spot at the table in order to keep herself together and her hands – and body – busy. But she couldn’t quite make herself to leave just yet, though she should. Instead of dashing for coffee she should be saying goodnight, going home, and going through her reports before climbing into bed. But instead Syra made her way to the replicator, “nice cup of coffee, before bed, you think?” She asked him. The last she needed was coffee. She knew she would never sleep. But she ordered it anyway. Taking the cup she looked back at him with a smile, “you? And oh, yes, if you get the place I will see about getting us some proper food, down there. I am supposing you will be eating with a fork, in front of the others, likely,” she smiled at him. She had some comfort in the thought that she was the one person he did let his guard down around just a bit, “don’t want to scare them entirely you know?”

"Right," he grinned boyishly. "But we both know that with coffe you'll never fall asleep. Planning on doing some late night reading?"

“Uh huh,” she sulked. Syra shook her head and stared out the nearest window, “reports and stuff. You know I don’t sleep well anyway, Sebastian. Or when I do,” she turned and started to walk back toward the table, “I usually drop dead for a day and no one can wake me up,” Syra shrugged and offered him a small smile, “probably that’s how I will spend our shore-leave, passed out somewhere in some – klingon hammock, tied between trees in the shade, yes?”

Sebastian nodded and pushed his plate away from him, "that isn't a bad idea either," he told her. "That is not a bad idea at all. I think I should probably see the doctor for something for this headache. I am just not looking forward to the lecture he will give me about resting."

She laughed softly when he said that. Syra did reach across the table, “you tell him,” she said, gripping his hands intently, “that we plan to. You tell him we have an entire plan worked out that includes sleeping on the beach…” she paused then, pulled back and started laughing harder, “oh, my,” she told herself. Syra touched her head and looked at him, “okay, well, maybe you better not tell him quite that. What I meant was..” she started laughing more, amused at herself, “maybe I should just forget the coffee and call it a night.” Syra struggled trying to get up from the bench again, "night Captain," she told him softly. Having dinner with him was always so much fun. She couldn't help how much he made her smile. A soft lump rose in her throat then, watching him in that bench, "I should get going," she said.
Sebastian nodded sheepishly, ashamed that he was sad to see her go, "good night, Syra. If you ever get to sleep, have pleasant dreams," he told her.

“Go, get something for that headache,” She told him, “and you too.” Syra headed for the door and it opened. She had to take a breath before waving back at him and stepping into the hall – it was always hard leaving, but it was well past time. The door closed behind her and the feel of his eyes on her back was gone. Pleasant dreams, he had said. She would try for that.

Sebastian watched her leave and almost felt like crying. Rules, rules, damn rules, he sighed and walked over to the replicator, "Coffee," he muttered. If he could get enough energy and pep, maybe his head would stop pounding like the drums of hell

Post #1: Felicitations and Flirtations

Location: Mic Mac's Diner - Starbase Atira
_________________________________

Once more into the breach – sometimes she wondered why she bothered. Starfleet was the last thing she wanted for a while and finally she decided it was the only way to get out from under her parent’s thumbs. They were good people but Starfleet wasn’t exactly the thing for them. She stopped for a moment to speak to the only friend she had made on board the ship and smiled at the woman that had once been a Borg.

“Well Senna,” she sighed. “This is it. I can’t believe I’m going.”

She smiled, “and I cannot believe they placed you on a starbase.”

Hugging Senna, she sighed, “I’ll keep in touch. I don’t know how often we’ll see each other but I will send letters. I will write them myself.”

“I will hold you to that,” Senna told her. “But please, you should go before you cry.”

Tri grinned and sniffled, “you’re right.” She gave her friend one final and turned to leave.

Tri Alsa Qira had forgotten how much she hated starbases. They seemed to be stuck in one place – all the time and that bothered her greatly. The moment she stepped off the USS Coswell and heaved her duffle over a shoulder while she ran over her orders inside her head. She was to spend a week on board Starbase Atira for her shore leave but she wasn’t to leave. The only reason she was on leave was because she was waiting for the USS Silor to return. A frown crossed her lips as she made her way through the corridor, signed in with security and ducked out into the promenade. The place was like a mad house. It seemed everyone that was on the base was in that exact location. Her stomach growled and she rubbed it with her free hand, pushed some blue hair from her face and looked around to see if she could find some food. Her eyes caught a restaurant and she walked through a group of people, side-stepped two squabbling Ferengis and entered.

She lid into a seat, placing her bag by her feet and picked up the menu. She only did it because it was there but she knew already what she wanted. When the server arrived she grinned up at him, “a plate of fries, don’t scrimp on ‘em. A cheeseburger with everything on it except mushrooms I don’t like those, a serving of hash browns and orange juice.”

The server looked at her as though she was nuts but she simply smiled sweetly and watched him walk off.

Atira - what was he doing here? Oh yes finishing some rather messy business with a handful of Cardassian run-offs. Kaldur was glad that was over. Running his hand over his ridges he stepped out of the shuttle and into the Starbase. Atira, he thought again, it reminded him of some chick he had tried to date several years ago - cold and unforgiving, and wanting him only for money. Kaldur made his way along the walkway, through people, the few things he carried with him fit easy on his body under all the metal and leather he wore, his traditional Klingon military uniform. He kept his face hard, his posture hard. His stomachs growled. He wanted something to eat. He glanced at the name of a restaurant and wondered if they would have anything living or at least raw to eat. With a shrug Kaldur stepped inside. There was only one way to know. He sat at a table and folded his arms, looking around as he waited for someone to bring a menu. When no one did he stood up and let his eyes wander over people. At last, a rather frightened looking young man approached him and offered him a menu. Kaldur took it and flipped through it. He looked up at the human youth before asking in Klingon, "do you have anything that moves?"

The boy didn't seem to understand. Kaldur just shook his head, "never mind," he said, switching to English, "gimme the house special today, that will have to do."

He had no idea what it was but certainly, it could be no worse than the Cardassian's form of food.

When the server finished with the Klingon with the sour disposition – wait, all Klingons had sour dispositions – Tri stopped the shaking young man and gave him a warm smile, “could I have another serving of hash browns while you’re at it. No rush – I want it to take with me once I am finished.”

“Sure, Lt,” he nodded and hurried off again. She stared at the man that sat at table next to hers and wondered why he had that look on his face as though someone peed in his Warnog. “You ordered the house special,” she called to him across the small space. “Care to try mine? You may not like it – it doesn’t wiggle or try to run away when you try to eat it.”

Kaldar looked up when he realised there was a woman talking to him. Her laughing eyes made him want to smile but for the moment he kept it in. Kaldar raised his chin a bit, "but the wiggling is half the fun," he countered, "you know, its all part of the hunt and the chase."

“Uh---huh,” she told him slowly holding out the plate for him to reach for fries should he want to. “After a long day on my feet, dodging phaser fire etcetera the last thing I want to do is go home and chase my food around for a while. I am way too impatient for that.”

Kaldar did raise an eyebrow. Moving around the side of the table he walked over to where she was and picked up one of the fries. He had heard about this food before. With a look at her he said, "I've never understood the need to burn the flavor out of something," still he put the bit of food in his mouth, chewed it and smiled. Kaldar let his eyes dance over hers, "Kaldar," he greeted, "impatience is a klingon specialty," he told her. Kaldar offered her a nod of approval and introduced himself, "Kaldar, KDF Unit 42."

“I see,” she placed her plate back against the table. “Lt. Tri Alsa Qira, currently homeless until the USS Silor gets here then I will be their chief security officer.” She stuffed a couple of fries into her mouth and chewed before picking up a ketchup bottle and drowned half the plate of fries. She let the other side remain without the red glob just in case he wanted some more.

"It is good to meet you," he answered. Then he looked around noticing the server was trying to bring his plate to him but didn't know where to put it. He looked across at the woman, "Lt. Tri Alsa Qira, do you mind if I sit here?"

“Not at all,” she told him. The Server looked at her as though she had just sprouted a second head and she grinned. “It’s alright,” she assured him. He placed the plate of fries and a burger down, along with juice and excused himself. “You scared him half to death. It would help if you smiled more,” she muttered taking large bite from her burger.

"It will help him be a strong warrior one day, to face his fears," Kaldar glanced to where the server had quickly made his retreat. Kaldar looked at her then He looked at her and then poked at the thing of dead cooked meat sitting on a plate, "Klingons don't smile." He said.

She wanted to tell him that Klingons don’t smile mean’s Klingon’s don’t get laid but she gave him a curt smile, “not everyone wants to be warriors, you know,” she explained to him. “Some men just wants to be a good catch for some woman. And besides, warriors are overrated.”

He looked at her, amused now. Reaching for the bottle of -red stuff- he tried to read the label as he asked, "you can back this up, not everyone wanting to be warriors, yes?" He turned the bottle of ketchup over onto his fries. Kaldar shrugged, "at least it makes them look like they are bleeding." He said. Then he set the bottle down.

Tri glanced down at her ketchup smothered fries and frowned at him, “you know, not everyone like their food bleeding. As for not everyone wanting to be warriors I can prove it. I never wanted to be a warrior.” She lifted her burger once more to her lips and took a bite. She chewed and swallowed before reaching for her glass, “I wanted to live on Risa, in the sun and read all day.”

"Everyone is not a Klingon," he answered. He did take a bite of his food then and managed to get it down. He paused a moment and then said, "most people believe in what is stereotypical. It is refreshing," he nodded at her, "that you seem not to be. I've been to Risa," Kaldar announced. He did smile then, showing his teeth, "and there is a lot of sun there, but I would rather spend my time in the sea."

She watched him then smiled, “the sea is fun but nothing beats the sun on your bare flesh,” she spoke without realising it. “It’s the small wonders in the world, Kaldar.”

"Kal," he told her simply. Kaldar took a drink of the orange stuff and found it really wasn't that bad, so he swallowed more of it before setting the glass down and studying her. His tone changed subtly, "Things are not always what they seem, Lt. Qira. Where I live," he didn't mean to but his eyes trailed over her body, the way the leather touched her skin. He snapped his eyes to her face, "there is plenty of water, and sun." He sat back in his chair and added, "you should go there one day and you will see."

“QonoS,” she whispered barely above a whisper. She opened her mouth to tell him the day she went there would be the day pigs flew but said nothing but, “I should. But it is a tad out of the way for my ship. I don’t get much time off as it is.” She studied him for a while then smirked, “why Kalder, are you asking me to come home with you?” she joked.

He sat back and inclined his head at her, "if there is water and sun would it be a terrible invitation - if I were?" He asked back.

She chuckled before picking up her napkin. Reaching over, she wiped a smudge of ketchup from his cheek and placed the napkin back into her lap, “I guess not – I welcome the sun at every chance I get.”

He was startled by her sudden movement and almost drew back. But then, as she sat down he relaxed as he realised what he was doing. Kaldar cleared his throat and looked down at his plate, "this food," he told her, "I truly will starve to death before I do get home again. But the company is pleasant."

“It’s not so bad,” she told him. “I had to get used to it too. But after a while of eating rations and other craps nothing beats a good oily burger enough to clog an artery and fries,” she smiled cheekily. She wondered where she had gotten the courage to speak to a man, especially a Klingon. They were normally such pain in the rear... She breathed and placed the last of her burger into her mouth. She watched him thoughtfully. “Once you get to a replicator you can order something – moving.”

"I've had worse," he answered. Kaldar watched her intently before saying, "replicators cannot produce live food properly, and they always malfunction. But then, that’s nothing new, right?" He looked her up and down before leaning into the table and asking, "so, you coming to Qo'noS? I promise there is plenty of sun."

Tri laughed and shook her head, “that would be considered desertion, Kal,” she told him still chuckling at his brazen question. She pressed a fry into her mouth. “Sun or no. I am waiting for my ship – remember?”

"Hmmm," he said thoughtfully. Kaldar folded his arms and watched her, "you have to have shore leave?" He taunted with a grin. Kaldar studied her expectantly, "chicken?"

“Oh no thank you I don’t want any – Wait, are you calling me a chicken?” she stopped and eyed him.

"You don't want any shore leave?" he asked her. Kaldar raised his brows, "now why would I do something like that? You probably don't even like poultry."

She eyed him suspiciously. If she didn’t know better she would have sworn this man was hitting on her and making a joke. That was something all the other Klingons had never done. They were too busy swigging Warnog and Bloodwine to look at a woman. She cleared her throat and drained her juice before looking at him again, “of course I want shore leave,” she told him. “I just don’t know if I’ll have time to go to QonoS.”

"And if you do?" he asked her, "how about then," he paused again and looked around them, "or now?"

“I would go, I mean it couldn’t hurt. But I don’t know anyone there and all that fun stuff...what is this obsession you have in getting me to QonoS? Want to see me in a swimsuit?”

He did grin now enjoying watching her try to figure this out, "you do know someone," he pointed out, "you know me." Kaldar leaned into the table and motioned for her to come over as though he was going to share with her some great secret, "you can't feel the sun on your skin with a swimsuit on, remember?"

Her cheeks heated up and she pressed back with both hands covering them. With her dark skin he probably couldn’t tell but she couldn’t help herself. “Erm,” she stuttered shyly. “I guess I walked into that one. But a gentleman wouldn’t have remembered what I said earlier.”

"Who said I am a gentleman, besides," he added, taking a drink from his glass, "I bet they would remember alright, they would probably just keep their mouth shut better and try to come up with another way to figure this out. So," he asked again, setting the glass down, "next shore leave, game, or chicken?"

Tri laughed and looked away. The server and a few others were staring at her with shock on their faces. They were probably wondering what a Klingon – that Klingon – could be saying that was so funny. She laughed harder and looked at him again, “I don’t know,” she told him. “There isn’t anything wrong with being a chicken.”

"No," he said. Kaldar paused a moment wondering how he got into such a glorious conversation with such a beautiful woman. All he had wanted was lunch - and this was so much better. He sat back trying to figure out what to say next to keep it from ending. He hand an idea - "except I eat chickens."

“There are so many things I could say in response to that if you were human,” Tri blushed slightly. She bit into one of the hash browns. She was right. There were so many sexual innuendos she could have come up with that. Instead she nodded her head, “fair enough,” she told him. “But seriously, I don’t know if QonoS is the place for me. It’s just...I need a moon.”

"I might know humans," Kaldar said slowly. He kept his voice level but watched the woman across from him, "strip the chicken to its skin and bite?" He winked at her. That said he cleared his throat and added, "and we have a moon. It’s just in pieces, but you should see them lit up across the sky at night with the stars ...well...when we have stars."

With his whole strip the chicken and bite thing, Tri couldn’t help the fact that she bit against her lower lip and her breath quickened slightly. When he pulled back it was as though he was pulling his touch away. She felt slightly disappointed but caught the rest of what he was saying – barely. “Stars are needed too,” Tri inhaled deeply, reminding herself that she was a humanoid specie and needed to breathe. “But I’m not human.”

"No?" He asked. He looked her over. With the sudden intensity in the room he needed a drink, he lifted the orange juice and swallowed it wryly - he needed a real drink. He set the glass down and nodded at her, "neither am I."

Tri nodded at his final statement and wondered if there was any meaning to that. He must have known that she knew he wasn’t human. She wanted to reach over and touch him then but refrained. Her eyes caught the server and she waved him over, “I should get going,” she told Kal while she waited for the server to reach them. “Thank you for a lovely time....”

“Yes Lt?” the server asked.

“Could you tell me how much is my bill?” she asked politely. “I have to get going.”

"I got it," Kaldar interrupted, he had to remember to switch back to Terran standard - since he hadn't spoken it in so long. He stood up and paid before she could argue. Then he asked for a pen and wrote something down on a napkin and slid it across the table to her, "if you are ever in the area." He said.

She grinned and accepted the napkin. She placed it carefully into her carry on bag, a black leather pouch and smiled at him, “I meant it. Thank you for lunch, and thank you for lovely conversation,” she reached onto her tip toes and kissed his cheek, “thanks.”

The brush of her lips startled him into flinching, that hadn't been expected and he found himself only able to nod. His hands moved to take hold of her waist and he stopped himself. Kaldar stood back, "you too," he told her, making sure he put that 'look' into his eyes. Then he nodded at her, turned and left. But as he walked away a grin spread across his face that made other patrons on the base stare. His excitement boiled over and he started kicking at things, to contain it, trashcans fell over or were hurled across the walkway. He grinned. He didn't care - his day had just gotten so much better, he had just picked up on a beautiful woman.

Kaldar glanced back before he turned the corner. He ran his hands through his hair. Now the wait began. He only hoped she would call.

Tri giggled as she continued her way towards her temporary quarters. As the turbo lift rose upward to the 60th deck, she laughed – she had just hit on a Klingon – Booyah!

Lt. Tri Alsa Qira
Chief Security Officer
USS Silor

&

Kaldar
KDF Unit 42


**These posts are for fun but do not copy or repost without consent.